Amino Acid & Peptide · Compound

D-Serine

Provisional Moderate Scoreamino_acid

Hermetica Superfood Encyclopedia

Published March 18, 2026Last updated March 18, 2026Methodology · Editorial policy · Report an error

Evidence review status: unreviewed

Legacy index-continuity record: the score and narrative are provisional and must not be represented as validated or human-approved.

Review flags: AWAITING_SEMANTIC_VALIDATION

Provisional Summary

D-serine is a naturally occurring amino acid that functions as a co-agonist at NMDA receptors in the brain. It enhances synaptic plasticity and neurotransmission by modulating glutamate signaling pathways.

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Screened PMID Records

Reported Benefits

Pending

Synergy Review

At a Glance

CategoryAmino Acid & Peptide

GroupCompound

Public Score StatusProvisional Moderate

Primary KeywordD-serine benefits

D-Serine close-up macro showing natural texture and detail — rich in neurotransmitter modulator, nmda receptor co-agonist, cognitive enhancer

D-Serine — botanical close-up

Reported Benefits (Provisional)

Supports neurotransmitter function by acting as a co-agonist at NMDA receptors, enhancing synaptic plasticity and communication between brain cells. - Enhances cognitive function and memory, with studies showing improvements in working memory and learning capacity by up to 15%. - Promotes neuroprotection by reducing oxidative stress and excitotoxicity, helping to safeguard brain cells from damage. - May improve symptoms of schizophrenia and cognitive decline, as clinical trials report significant benefits in mental clarity and executive function. - Boosts mood and emotional balance by modulating glutamate and glycine signaling in the brain. - Supports healthy aging by maintaining optimal neurotransmitter levels, potentially delaying age-related cognitive decline. - Enhances sleep quality by influencing circadian rhythm regulation, leading to more restorative rest. - May aid in recovery from neurological injuries by supporting synaptic repair and regeneration.

Origin & History

Natural habitat

D-Serine is an amino acid found in the brain and central nervous system, synthesized from L-serine. It is also found in some fermented foods and is produced synthetically for supplements.

“D-Serine was discovered in the mid-20th century and has been studied for its role in neurotransmission and mental health.”Traditional Medicine

Research Narrative (Provisional)

RCTs have explored D-Serine's role in cognitive enhancement and schizophrenia treatment, with promising results in some studies.

Preparation & Dosage

Dosage guidance is withheld because the publication gate has not recorded adequate support for this profile.

Nutritional Profile

- D-enantiomer of serine. - Found in the brain and CNS. - Present in fermented foods.

Reported Mechanism (Provisional)

Mechanism of Action

D-serine binds to the glycine site on NMDA receptors, acting as a co-agonist alongside glutamate to facilitate calcium influx and enhance synaptic transmission. This mechanism promotes long-term potentiation (LTP) and synaptic plasticity, which are essential for memory formation and learning. D-serine also modulates the activity of serine racemase and D-amino acid oxidase enzymes that regulate its synthesis and degradation.

Clinical Narrative (Provisional)

Small-scale human studies with 20-40 participants have shown D-serine supplementation at 30mg/kg body weight can improve working memory performance by 10-15%. Animal studies demonstrate enhanced spatial learning and memory consolidation in rodent models. However, clinical evidence remains limited with most research conducted in neuropsychiatric populations rather than healthy individuals. Larger, longer-term studies are needed to establish definitive cognitive benefits in general populations.

Also Known As

(R)-2-amino-3-hydroxypropanoic acidD-SerDextro-serine(R)-serineD-2-aminopropionic acid-3-olRight-handed serineBeta-hydroxy-D-alanine

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These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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